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First Impressions & Unfiltered Thoughts: JDrama Pretty Proofreader

While we typically focus on Korean dramas, we also love dramas from other Asian countries. Recently more Japanese dramas have been subbed on Viki which has made us very happy. Join Clkytta and Telzeytalks as we discuss our first impression of the Japanese drama, Pretty Proofreader.

Synopsis: Etsuko Kono (Satomi Ishihara) is a 28-year-old woman who’s biggest wish is to become a fashion editor at her favorite magazine. After several years of rejections, she finally gets hired. The catch is that she’s not an editor, but a proofreader. Sometimes the job you want isn’t the job you were meant to have. She isn’t giving up however, and she continues to dress like a fashion plate (dress for the job you want and not the job you have).

Plot:

Clkytta: I enjoyed this twist on the tried and true story of the plucky young girl out to get her dream job. I liked that she was assigned to the job of a proofreader and that she gave it her all. I felt like this was one of those grow where you are planted stories, and I like that.

Telzeytalks: This is really a workplace drama, and we learn a lot about proofreading. There are not just things like typos and spelling to check, but Japanese is especially difficult because of all the homonyms and kanji characters that can be read several ways. Everything in a book has to be researched to verify its accuracy, and Etsuko does such a thorough job that her comments often get her in trouble with the editors and authors. My husband loved the chyrons that show the author’s version and the corrections the proofreaders put in, and kept stopping the show to dissect and read them.

Character Impressions:

Clkytta: I really liked Etsuko Kono, she’s got great fashion sense, but she’s also got a heart of gold. I love seeing how she learns about the writers she proofreads for and how she grows as a person from interacting with them. The side characters are all very interesting too.

Telzeytalks: She’s fearless and irrepressible, and I love the way she doesn’t let herself be intimidated. She makes friends with everyone, from the receptionists at the front door to an acquaintance from her college days who tries to avoid her at first. This is Toyoko, who has Etsuko’s dream job and doesn’t enjoy it.

Telzeytalks: We all love “found family” stories. Etsuko has rooms above a small traditional restaurant, where the chef and the regulars that come there are like that. They know everything that goes on in her life.

Clkytta: I love her little “family”. They are her biggest cheerleaders. It always helps to keep my interest when there are side characters who love and support the lead.

Telzeytalks: Toyoko finds a college student to be a model for an upcoming feature. At the very end of the first episode, Etsuko meets him too and is stunned by his beauty. Hmm. I see a conflict coming.

Clkytta: I love how she just swoons when she sees him. He’s got a secret identity though and that’s going to make this drama even more fun.

Will we keep watching?

Clkytta: Yes, this is a short drama, only 11 episodes. Viki is still subbing this drama so it’s only subbed halfway at this time. Hopefully they will fit it into the subbing schedule so that we don’t have to wait too long for the rest of it to be subbed.

Telzeytalks: Yes, definitely. It is lively and pulled me in by the first episode. Etsuko makes real emotional connections with people. It is visually interesting too, with the chyrons in the air and the little sudden layouts. And occasionally we get great shots like this one, where an author is waiting for Etsuko to meet him and explain the remarks she made about this bridge on his manuscript!

We are always on the lookout for good dramas to watch. Let us know your Jdrama recommendations, and where we can legally find subs for them.

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I just sampled episode 1 of “Caution, Hazardous Housewife” on Viki too and I’m cautiously optimistic that it will be entertaining as it has a good cast and premise. I’ve found a lot of workplace dramas out of Japan coming off as a little preachy, more like training videos with a little extra plot than true “lose yourself in the story” pieces, so I’ll be curious to see how your sample shakes out.